Chink in MLAs? security armour

THE STATE BJP leadership has suddenly woken up to the threat perception to its MLAs following brutal killing of Kishorilal Verma and his wife two days ago.

The leadership feels that the Home Department has failed to sufficiently respond to the need of providing security to the MLAs and lacks a well-defined system to monitor the threat perception to their lives.

Close on the heel of the double murder of Pandana MLA and his wife, Jabalpur (West) MLA Harender Jeet Singh Babbu has complained to the party that he had not been provided security despite several requests. Former minister and MLA Dhal Singh Bisen too is exasperated after his repeated demand for enhanced security fell on deaf ears. He and his followers recently received several threat calls while bombs were hurled at some of his followers’ houses.

There is constant threat to the lives of the MLAs in Naxal- affected areas. State BJP organising general secretary Kaptan Singh Solanki told the Hindustan Times that party has received reports that several MLAs have not been provided security, which is a matter of concern.

The party is looking into this matter seriously, he added. Solanki said Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has taken the initiative o review security for the MLAs but the question remains if the Home department regularly reviewed security arrangements for the MLAs.

If lack of adequate police force was any ground in not providing security to the MLAs there should be recruitment in the force, the BJP leader demanded.

Intelligence had its major role in assessing the threat perception. But security of MLAs could not be overlooked for any reason. At the same time, he added, the MLAs should also take care of the security aspect and should not move about without security personnel deployed for their security.